"to provide control. It is most closely affiliated with the vaquero tradition of horse training, most commonly seen today in western riding for starting young horses. The hackamore is headgear that controls a horse without a bit, but to call it a ""bitless bridle"" is incorrect other than as a descriptive simile, as the hackamore predates all other modern bitless designs by several hundred years. and the English language term ""hackamore"" itself dates back at least 150 years. A variant on the bosal design that is sometimes called a bitless bridle, but more often placed within the hackamore family, is"
"Bit mouthpiece The mouthpiece is the part of a horse's bit that goes into the mouth of a horse, resting on the bars of the mouth in the sensitive interdental space where there are no teeth. The mouthpiece is possibly the most important determinant in the severity and action of the bit. Some mouthpieces are not allowed in dressage competition. The other parts of the bit are the bit rings on a snaffle bit, and the shanks on a curb bit. These pieces do not go inside the mouth, but rather are the parts of a bit that are outside"
"the mouth, where the bridle and reins attach. Particular mouthpieces do not define the type of bit. Often, bits with mouthpieces, such as single or double-jointed bits, are incorrectly referred to as snaffles—a term that describes a direct action bit rather than a leverage bit, not the mouthpiece. Though some mouthpieces are marked as ""severe"" and others as ""mild"", this is all relative. A heavy-handed rider can make even the mildest bit uncomfortable, and a skilled, light rider can ride in a much harsher mouthpiece without damaging the mouth or causing any distress in the horse. Additionally, the type of"
"Noseband A noseband is the part of a horse's bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the horse. In English riding, where the noseband is separately attached to its own headstall or crownpiece, held independently of the bit, it is often called a ""cavesson"" or ""caveson"" noseband. In other styles of riding, a simple noseband is sometimes attached directly to the same headstall as the bit. A noseband may have been one of the first tools used by humans to domesticate and ride horses. The bit developed later. The noseband was originally made of leather or rope. After the"
"tip of the joint into the tongue. The mouthpiece is placed lower down in a horse's mouth than snaffle bits, usually just touching the corners of the mouth without creating a wrinkle. The lower the bit is placed, the more severe it is as the bars of the mouth get thinner and so pressure is more concentrated. The curb chain applies pressure to the groove under a horse's chin. It amplifies the pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth, because when it tightens it acts as a fulcrum. Adjusted correctly, the chain links lie flat and hang loose below"
"p. 55 Edwards Complete Book of Bits and Bitting p. 68 Edwards Complete Book of Bits and Bitting p. 57 Edwards Complete Book of Bits and Bitting p. 58 Kapitzke Bit and Reins p. 95 Snaffle bit A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. It consists of a bit mouthpiece with a ring on either side and acts with direct pressure. A bridle utilizing only a snaffle bit is often called a ""snaffle bridle"", particularly in the English riding disciplines. A bridle that carries two bits, a curb bit and a snaffle, or"
"Gag bit The gag bit is a type of bit for a horse. With two sets of reins, the gag bit gives a rider the ability to use either a standard direct action or a gag action. In this, the gag bit is related to a Pelham bit and a double bridle. Unlike these, however, the gag bit has no curb strap. Some styles of gag bit are integral to a special bridle, known as a gag bridle; others are used with a standard bridle. Inside the horse's mouth, the gag bit may be jointed like a snaffle bit or"
"cheeks as ""branches"" and described them as outlined in the paragraph below. Although the language is archaic, the underlying classicical principles are still applicable today: Bit shank The bit shank is the side piece or cheekpiece of a curb bit, part of the bridle, used when riding on horses. The bit shank allows leverage to be added to the pressure of the rider's hands on the bit. Shanks are usually made of metal, may be straight or curved, and may be decorated in some disciplines. The headstall and curb chain or curb strap of the bridle is attached to the"
"others run the rope through the horse's mouth; it is debated whether a rope design running through the mouth is classified as a bitted or bitless design. Any of these designs were at times called ""war bridles,"" in part due to their close historic association with Native American cultures, but the term is used differently in modern times. (see war bridle below.) A ghost cord, Cherokee bridle is a rope passed through the mouth and tied in a slip knot or half hitch under the chin groove. The ends of the rope serve as one or sometimes two reins. One"
"Snaffle bit A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. It consists of a bit mouthpiece with a ring on either side and acts with direct pressure. A bridle utilizing only a snaffle bit is often called a ""snaffle bridle"", particularly in the English riding disciplines. A bridle that carries two bits, a curb bit and a snaffle, or ""bradoon"", is called a double bridle. A snaffle is not necessarily a bit with a jointed bit mouthpiece, as is often thought. A bit is a snaffle because it creates direct pressure without leverage on"
"presence of a shank, they are actually in the curb bit family. The mouthpiece of the bit does not rest on the teeth of the horse, but rather rests on the gums or ""bars"" of the horse's mouth in an interdental space behind the front incisors and in front of the back molars. When a horse is said to ""grab the bit in its teeth"" they actually mean that the horse tenses its lips and mouth against the bit to avoid the rider's commands (although some horses may actually learn to get the bit between their molars). Depending on the"
"action of the mouthpiece. In addition, the joint angle is altered by the shank leverage to tip the bit downward and into the tongue. These bits, sometimes called ""cowboy snaffles"" due to their popularity among western riders, are actually more harsh than a curb with a simple, solid, ported mouthpiece. The curb chain or strap applies pressure to the curb groove under a horse's chin. When the shank of the bit rotates back (due to rein pressure), the cheek of the bit rotates forward since it is a lever arm. The curb chain is attached to the rings at the"
"of the mouth. Materials: often stainless steel, but may be made of any bit metal (copper and sweet iron are both popular), happy mouth material, or have a rubber covering on each joint. Uses: This is one of the most common mouthpieces found on a snaffle, and is popular for all equestrian sports. Cautions: Curb bits with a single joint are often called ""cowboy snaffle"", ""Argentine snaffle"", or ""Tom Thumb snaffle."" However, these bits all are actually curb bits because they have shanks and operate with leverage. Thus, when the reins are pulled, the horse is subjected both to the"
"curb bit consists of a mouthpiece, curb chain, and a shank, with one ring on each side of the purchase arm of the shank, and one ring on the bottom of the lever arm of the shank. Pelham bits add a ring for a snaffle rein, next to the mouthpiece. A curb bit works on several parts of a horse's head and mouth. The bit mouthpiece acts on the bars, tongue and roof of the mouth. The shanks add leverage and place pressure on the poll via the crownpiece of the bridle, to the chin groove via the curb chain,"
"Lip strap A lip strap is a piece of horse tack made of rolled leather or occasionally thin chain, used sometimes on some types of English-style curb and pelham bits. The lip strap runs between the bit shanks and passes through a special center ring on a curb chain sometimes called the ""fly link"". The lip strap attaches to rings at midpoint of the shanks and buckles on the near side. The lip strap helps keep a ""mouthy"" horse from mouthing or ""lipping"" the shank. It also helps prevent the curb chain from unfastening or otherwise moving too much. In"
"Bridle path (horse) The bridle path is a shaved or clipped section of the mane, beginning behind the ears of a horse at the poll, delineating the area where the crownpiece of the bridle lies. Bridle paths are a common style of grooming in the United States, but are not seen as often in Europe. A bridle path is usually clipped or shaved in the mane for competition in certain disciplines, and this may be done on ordinary riding horses as well. A bridle path allows the bridle or halter to lie flat on the head of the horse, which"
"side of the mouthpiece smooth and the other serrated. Various rein attachments were also possible with this bit. Pelham bit A pelham bit is a type of bit used when riding a horse. It has elements of both a curb bit and a snaffle bit. In this respect a pelham bit functions similar to a double bridle, and like a double bridle it normally has ""double"" reins: a set of curb reins and a set of snaffle reins. Because it has a bit shank and can exert curb-style pressure on the horse, it is considered a curb bit. Like all"
"in the mouth and the chain to pinch. The curb bit places pressure on the bars, the palate (especially if the port of the curb bit is fairly large), and via the curb chain, the poll and chin groove. It is used to regulate vertical flexion (cresting the neck and collecting the body through an arched spine), and the poll pressure asks the horse to lower the poll and telescope the neck to raise the base of the neck. If the horse tries to push his nose outward without permission from the rider, the curb reins will automatically come into"
"making them ""extremely"" severe to the point where it is easy for any rider to cut and ruin the horse's mouth, especially the lips. Many horsemen, even the most skilled riders, will not put such a harsh bit in their horse's mouths. Many equestrian organizations do not allow a bit to be 1/4 inch or thinner in diameter. If the rider gives crude aids, it is generally best to pick a bit mouthpiece that is thicker. This may also be true with some horses with relatively thin bars. Bit mouthpiece The mouthpiece is the part of a horse's bit that"
"goes backwards in the mouth. Uses: the purpose of this bit is to prevent a horse from getting his tongue over it. It can be useful in retraining, and for horses for whom this is a habit. This therefore gives the rider more control. Not permitted in dressage. A standard mouthpiece is 3/8 inch in diameter, measured one inch out from the bit rings (the area that usually come in contact with the bars). The common belief is that a thinner mouthpiece increases the severity of the bit, because it decreases the bearing surface and makes the bit ""sharper."" However,"
"the mouth. It is a bit without a shank. Therefore, a single- or double-jointed mouthpiece, though the most common designs for snaffle bits, does not make a bit a snaffle. Even a mullen mouth (a solid, slightly curved bar) or a bar bit is a snaffle. The snaffle bit works on several parts of the horse's mouth; the mouthpiece of the bit acts on the tongue and bars, the lips of the horse also feel pressure from both the mouthpiece and the rings. The rings also serve to act on the side of the mouth, and, depending on design, the"
"the bit (from where the mouthpiece hits one ring, to where it hits the other), and the thickness of the mouthpiece. Theories as to fitting the snaffle vary between horse owners, but the most common theory of fitting the snaffle is to adjust it so that it creates one or two wrinkles in the lips at the corner of the horse's mouth. The best way to determine how high a snaffle should be is to begin with the bit just touching the corners of the horse's mouth, forming one wrinkle. If the rider holds the cheekpieces of the bridle and"
"one of the bit rings. The cord then follows the cheekpiece of the bridle up to a ring or pulley at the side of the browband, before going back down to snap to the leather piece near the chest. The leather extends so that it can attach to the girth. The horse is therefore ""in control"" of the action of the Gogue: when he keeps his head in the acceptable position, the Gogue has no effect. When he sticks his nose out or raises his head, the Gogue comes into action, raising the bit in his mouth and applying slight"
"the mouth, as the tongue may be caught between the two. In general, both bits are chosen to be slightly thinner. Although this increases their severity, most horses prefer thinner bits because it allows for more room for the tongue, which can be uncomfortably cramped with two thick bits sharing the space. The bradoon rein should be wider than the rein used on the curb bit and in sport horse disciplines is often a bit more grippy (laced or, less often, rubber reins are popular), while the curb rein is thinner and smooth. This makes it easy for the rider"
"western riding, the ""slobber bar"" or ""shank hobble"" placed between the rein rings of a curb bit serves the same purpose as a lip strap. The leather curb strap-like attachments that are sometimes used to connect the rings of snaffle bit on a western bridle are also occasionally known as lip straps, though ""bit hobble"" is the term more often used. Lip strap A lip strap is a piece of horse tack made of rolled leather or occasionally thin chain, used sometimes on some types of English-style curb and pelham bits. The lip strap runs between the bit shanks and"
"molars to chew, may need soft feeds to maintain adequate levels of nutrition. Older horses may appear to have a lean, shallow lower jaw, as the roots of the teeth have begun to disappear. Younger horses may seem to have a lumpy jaw, due to the presence of permanent teeth within the jaw. If a bit is fitted to a horse, along with a bridle, the normally metal bar of the bit lies in the interdental space between the incisors (or canines, where present) and premolars. If the bridle is adjusted so that the bit rests too low, or too"
"horse's mouth. He proposes that the bit is the direct cause of many behavioural problems and diseases and that it exposes both the horse and the rider to serious risk. He concluded that the bit ""is contraindicated, counterproductive and, in the wrong hands, potentially cruel ."" He studied a new, patented type of bitless bridle and is now collecting more scientific evidence about its use and related prevention of horse problems and diseases. Robert Cook (veterinarian) Robert Cook is an equine veterinarian. He has published many papers, mainly on diseases of the horse's mouth, ear, nose and throat both in"
"Bit shank The bit shank is the side piece or cheekpiece of a curb bit, part of the bridle, used when riding on horses. The bit shank allows leverage to be added to the pressure of the rider's hands on the bit. Shanks are usually made of metal, may be straight or curved, and may be decorated in some disciplines. The headstall and curb chain or curb strap of the bridle is attached to the top of the shank, and the reins are attached at the bottom. Shanked curb bits are used in western riding for nearly all adult horses,"
"has an eggbutt-like ring at the mouthpiece for the rein, with an upper cheek that has a ring at its end, to which the cheekpieces of the bridle are attached. The mouthpiece of a true Baucher does not slide on its ring, though there are Baucher-like designs that do. This bit lies flat against the horse's face, is fixed in the mouth and concentrates pressure on the bars. Contrary to common belief, the bit does not exert poll pressure unless it is put onto the bridle upside-down. Advantages: will not be pulled through the mouth. Mouthpieces: All types. The Baucher"
"Poll (livestock) The poll is a name of the part of an animal's head, alternatively referencing a point immediately behind or right between the ears. This area of the anatomy is of particular significance for the horse. Specifically, the ""poll"" refers to the occipital protrusion at the back of the skull. However, in common usage, many horsemen refer to the poll joint, between the atlas (C1) and skull as the poll. The area at the joint has a slight depression, and is a sensitive location. Thus, because the crownpiece of a bridle passes over the poll joint, a rider can"
"lip strap, a thin strap or light chain that helps keep the curb chain in place and also prevents the horse from grabbing, or ""lipping"" the bit shanks with its mouth. Curb bits have tremendous variation, from the relatively simple English Weymouth curb or the simple western medium-port curb to very elaborate designs with complex mouthpieces and shank designs. Some of the more common include: Curbs are generally placed lower down in a horse's mouth than snaffle bits, touching the corners of the mouth, or creating a single slight wrinkle in the lips. The lower the bit is placed, the"
"Frentera A frentera is a part of some halters and bridles, usually on a horse. It is a cord, strap, or chain on the face of the horse that is attached to the crownpiece or browband and runs down the horse's face to the noseband or bit rings. A frentera can be split at the top to pass on either side of the forelock, or on either side of the ears. In the latter case, the frentera usually substitutes for a browband. A frentera can also be split at the bottom into two or more parts to support and stabilize"
"curb rein of the bit is used. When the curb rein is pulled, the shank of the bit rotates back towards the chest of the horse and the cheek (upper shank) of the bit rotates forward (since it is a lever arm). The curb chain is attached to the rings at the end of the cheek, so, as the cheek moves forward, the chain is pulled and tightened in the curb groove. Once it comes in contact with the curb groove of the horse it acts as a fulcrum, causing the cannons of the bit mouthpiece to push down onto"